Carnival shut after kids fall off ride

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE—A carnival operating near the free port’s main gate has been shut down after three children fell from its Ferris wheel on Dec. 29, 2013, according to a belated report from Clark Development Corp. (CDC).

Ralphine Shandel Lingat, 12, her sister, Ralphine Jayriz, 10, and their cousin, Tagjay Lethrel Macam, 11, survived a 20-foot fall when their seat carriage turned over for still unknown reasons at Fiesta Carnival, according to a report from the CDC public safety department.

But the children, who are residents of L&S Subdivision in Sto. Domingo village, Angeles City, suffered fractures and are being treated at the intensive care unit of Angeles University Foundation Medical Center.

Not reported to cops

The Inquirer learned that CDC had not turned over its investigation report to the Angeles police, which has no record of the accident. The carnival is located less than a kilometer away from a police station.

The carnival, which is owned and operated by Louie Libunao Lopez of Plaridel town, Bulacan province, had been operating on M.A. Roxas Highway here since Dec. 15, 2013. CDC ordered the closure on Dec. 31, 2013.

The CDC report indicated that the Ferris wheel had unsecured tubular stoppers in its carriages. The stoppers are meant to stabilize and secure the carriages.

Carrying capacity

According to CDC, each carriage was designed to carry two passengers only.

The carnival managers should have required children to be accompanied by adults when they take these rides, CDC said.

Carnivals and leisure parks draw their heaviest crowds during the holidays when children are on school vacation.

There is little, or no, monitoring of the carnivals for safety. Jun Malig, Inquirer Central Luzon